Arsenal have submitted a formal opening offer for Leeds United winger Raphinha, but it has fallen well short of the Yorkshire side’s valuation of the player and is expected to be rejected immediately, according to the Athletic.
Worse still for Arsenal fans, they add that the Gunners are Raphinha’s third choice destination this summer, behind Barcelona and fellow Premier League side Chelsea.
As per The Athletic, the bid made ‘fell well below Leeds’ valuation and is expected to be rejected out of hand’.
‘After Barcelona, Chelsea are said to be Raphinha’s preferred destination and not only would a move there provide Champions League football but potentially also a better chance of winning major trophies’, the reliable David Ornstein claims.
🚨 EXCL: Arsenal have this evening submitted a formal offer to Leeds for Raphinha. #AFC contacted #LUFC earlier to indicate intention to make bid & that has now landed. Falls well short of #LUFC valuation, expected to be rejected out of hand @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/KUnHHNtFMe
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 21, 2022
Meanwhile, Raphinha’s agent Deco has been in Barcelona this evening, where he met with Juan Laporta.
Arsenal close to landing Jesus
In more positive news for the Gunners, it seems as though they are closing in, inch by inch, on the signing of Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, with the deal now ‘very very advanced’ according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, though interest from Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham remains.
Gabriel Jesus deal update. Arsenal are working on it and negotiations are very advanced – Arsenal will now need to be fast on final, key details involving player/agents to get the deal done and avoid twists. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Tottenham & PSG, still waiting to see the end of this story.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2022
And, while there are a couple of final details to be ironed out, the Gunners continue to lead the way at present.
